World-Wide Volkswagen v. Woodson

In World-Wide Volkswagen v. Woodson, 444 U.S. 286; 100 S Ct 559; 62 L Ed 2d 490 (1980), the Court emphasized that jurisdiction is valid only if the nonresident defendant's "conduct and connection with the forum are such that he should reasonably anticipate being haled into court there." Id., 297. In World-Wide Volkswagen, the plaintiffs purchased a car from a New York automobile dealership, and proceeded to drive the car across the country. In Oklahoma, the car's fuel tank ignited during a collision and three occupants of the car were badly burned. The Supreme Court held that the plaintiffs could not sue the New York dealership and regional (northeastern states) distributor in Oklahoma because these defendants had not "availed themselves of . . . the privileges and benefits of Oklahoma law." Id., 295.